GLAAD - black LGBThttp://www.glaad.org/tags/black-lgbt
enKatina Parker tells the truth about queer black visionaries in new documentary Truth. Be.Toldhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/katina-parker-tells-truth-about-queer-black-visionaries-new-documentary-truth-betold
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-0-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img width="894" height="894" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/images/2014-07/truth_be_told.png?itok=9Uda41Iq" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Longtime filmmaker, communications consultant and fomer GLAAD staffer, Katina Parker has launched <em>Truth. Be. Told.</em>, a documentary series that seeks to reclaim the birthright of Queer Black Visionaries within Black families and communities by providing a platform for out, Black LGBTQ people to tell their personal stories of challenge, radical self inquiry,transformation, and triumph.</p>
<p>To date over 60 Queer Black Visionaries have committed to being interviewed for Season 1, including: <strong>Staceyann Chin</strong> (Jamaican-born, Tony Award-winning playwright); <strong>Toshi Reagon</strong> (Singer/Songwriter); <strong>Miss Major</strong> (Veteran Transgender Activist); <strong>Emil Wilbekin</strong> (Former Editor for Essence and Vibe magazines); <strong>Darnell Moore</strong> (Writer/Activist); <strong>Patrik-Ian Polk</strong> (Creator of Logo TV's "Noah's Arc" series); <strong>Mia McKenzie</strong> (Creator of the Black Girl Dangerous blog); <strong>Linda Villarosa</strong> (Former Editor for the New York Times); <strong>Karamo Brown </strong>(Oprah Winfrey Network Host, Model and Actor); and <strong>Justin Robinson</strong> (founding member of the Grammy Award-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops).</p>
<p>GLAAD sat down with Parker to discuss her vision and the inspiring people who were a part of it. </p>
<p><strong>What was the inspiration behind the project?</strong></p>
<p>I am a former GLAADiator. From 2005 to 2008, I was the Media Strategist for Communities of African Descent. During the three years that I worked at GLAAD, my primary objective was creating visibility for Black LGBT issues in mainstream media. In conjunction with my colleagues, I was responsible for placing with the <strong>New York Times</strong> and <strong>The Associated Press</strong>, the stories of Saundra Toby-Heath and Alicia Heath-Toby, a couple from Unity Fellowship Church Newark who were plaintiffs in the 2006 New Jersey marriage lawsuit.</p>
<p>I helped the very brilliant, Tony-Award winning <strong>Staceyann Chin</strong> publish a preview of her memoir THE OTHER SIDE OF PARADISE with New York Times magazine and also pitched her for the courageous appearance that she made on <strong>The Oprah Winfrey Show</strong>. Over a period of years, I held editorial board meetings with <strong>Johnson Publications</strong>, home to<strong> Ebony and Jet magazine</strong>, which laid the groundwork for them to begin featuring the wedding announcements of same-sex couples.</p>
<p>I did this work to create safety for my community. I also did this work to create safety for myself. There was a time when I felt so isolated that I considered taking my life. I was clueless about how to be an out, queer Black woman. I saw no one in the world who looked like me, who thought like me, or who had healed enough to serve as a living example of the possibilities that were ahead of me.</p>
<p><strong>You've interviewed several visible and impactful Black lgbt folks, was there a core trope that existed for all of them?</strong></p>
<p>Triumph over tragedy is the most consistent through line between the stories of the people we've interviewed, the ability to take challenging, potentially debilitating circumstances and to transcend those experiences, turn them into super powers. Going through tough times and coming out on top has a way of freeing us to dream and achieve big things. I feel really honored to witness so many stories of miraculous survival and triumph. </p>
<p>Truth. Be. Told. is an outgrowth of the work I did at GLAAD and my own need to see myself and people like me reflected in mainstream media.</p>
<p><strong>Was there anyone story that really resonated with you?</strong></p>
<p>To date we’ve interviewed more than 10 people and created 6 video trailers featuring<strong> Staceyann Chin, Darnell Moore, Kai M. Green, Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs</strong>, community organizer <strong>Sendolo Diamah</strong>, and writer/musician <strong>Shirlette Ammons</strong>.</p>
<p>Each of the people we've worked with thus far, have been extremely generous with their heart spaces, personal histories, and homes. I love them all. I love Darnell's inspiring story about how he overcome the residual impact of growing up with an abusive father, Kai's humorous insights about learning to love himself fully as he transitioned from female to male, and, of course Staceyann's touching anecdotes about balancing life as a new mom and a controversial, outspoken activist. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/99727344" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/99727344">Truth. Be. Told. featuring Darnell Moore</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/katinaparker">Katina Parker</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
<p><strong>What type of impact would you like for this series to have?</strong></p>
<p>I want Truth. Be. Told. to widen the path for Black LGBTQ people to live their lives openly, fully, proudly, in every room we enter - home, office, church, etc.</p>
<p>When I was at GLAAD, there were so many people with so many life-affirming stories of family acceptance, moms who left church when the preacher spoke out against their gay children, parents who stuck it out with their children even when they didn't understand the complex feelings/experiences that go along with coming out, and, of course, people who lost family and friends when they decided to be true to themselves. What I heard from each of those people was a genuine desire to see more quality stories about Black LGBTQ people and their families, something more full and fleshed out than what sound bytes and quotes offer us through media coverage. I also heard that when that level of storytelling began to exist, Black communities would become more open to our existence and contributions, as LGBTQ people, and that the mainstream LGBTQ community would better understand issues of racism that we face regularly, both in and outside of the LGBT communithy.</p>
<p><strong>Do you think Black LGBT folks are making inroads in the broader Black community in terms of acceptance and support? What else needs to be done?</strong></p>
<p>We've made significant inroads towards increasing visibility of Black LGBTQ people in media. The work GLAAD did in the early 2000s contributed greatly to this rise in visibility. The trainings and the media placement positioned a cadre of Black LGBTQ spokespeople to take advantage of the myriad opportunities for storytelling and visibility created by the boon of social media.</p>
<p>We need shows like Truth. Be. Told., quality shows that present the personal stories of Black LGBTQ people in authentic, non-exploitative ways, to further this work. It’s shows like Truth. Be. Told. that allow everyday people intimate access to the hopes, fears and vulnerabilities of individual LGBTQ people, and it’s those connections, those points of commonality that lead to greater social acceptance of LGBTQ people.</p>
<iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/96075529" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/96075529">Truth. Be. Told. f. Staceyann Chin</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/katinaparker">Katina Parker</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
<p><strong>What's next for Truth Be Told? </strong></p>
<p>We are actively filming as we raise our first season’s budget. The initial leg of fundraising features an IndieGoGo campaign to raise $24,000 for the first 4 full half-hour episodes of the series. For those episodes, we'll be featuring Tony Award-winning playwright <strong>Staceyann Chin</strong>, Writer/Activist <strong>Darnell Moore</strong>, Writer/Filmmaker/Transgender Activist<strong> Kai M. Green</strong> and Veteran Activist <strong>Miss Major</strong>.</p>
<p>The<a href="http://Igg.me/at/truthbetold"> IndieGoGo campaign</a> ends on Saturday, August 9, 11:59pm PST. Perks include digital downloads, postcard sets, and producer credit. Donations start at $5.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">July 28, 2014</span></div></div></div>
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Mon, 21 Jul 2014 18:06:50 +0000tiqmilan71758 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/katina-parker-tells-truth-about-queer-black-visionaries-new-documentary-truth-betold#commentsSpelman and Morehouse Kick off their annual pride week http://www.glaad.org/blog/spelman-and-morehouse-kick-their-annual-pride-week
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-1-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img width="750" height="400" id="1" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/images/2014-03/spelhouse-750x400.jpg?itok=pIzrMlBv" alt="" title="Spelhouse" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Historically Black colleges Spelman and Morehouse College hosted their fifth annual ever pride week in Atlanta Georgia. The event was started in 2009 as a response to Morehouse's new Appropiate Attire Policy which stated that men at Morehouse could not where heels, carry purses or sag their pants. The two schools have combined efforts to ensure that LGBT students are fully included, respected and engaged on campus.</p>
<p>The keynote address was given by<a href=".http://kimkatrincrosby.squarespace.com/"> Kim Katrin Crosby of Toronto</a>, the co-founder of The People Project, a movement of queer and trans folks of color and our allies. She has also been recognized as one of Go Magazine’s ’100 Women We Love’ in 2012 and in 2013 she was honored as one of the Game Changers for The Insight Project. “Our goals for the celebratory week this year are quite intentional and bold, but simple: to celebrate the fearless, creative, and resilient spirits of LGBTQ folks of color; to promote community and alliance building amongst our student body; and to celebrate, affirm, and take pride in our identities—culturally, spiritually, and holistically,” the SpelHouse Pride Committee states.</p>
<p>The weeks events were met with some religious based bigotry but that didn't stop the celebratory spirit and inspiration of the weeks events. </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">March 27, 2014</span></div></div></div>
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Thu, 27 Mar 2014 15:53:27 +0000tiqmilan70322 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/spelman-and-morehouse-kick-their-annual-pride-week#commentsGLAAD Celebrates Black History Month Honoring LGBT African Americans http://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-celebrates-black-history-month-honoring-lgbt-african-americans
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-2-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img id="2" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/bhm_600x225_1.png?itok=k9P_4A6b" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>While February was declared Black History Month to recognize the many accomplishments and contributions of African Americans, the lives of black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) people are often left out of the picture. From civil rights leader Bayard Rustin to community advocate Mandy Carter to well-renowned inventor George Washington Carver, black LGBT people have enriched our nation and our lives.</p>
<p><a href="http://GLaad.org">GLAAD</a>, the <a href="http://nbjc.org">National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC)</a>, the <a href="http://www.blackaids.org/">Black AIDS Institute</a>, the <a href="http://alp.org">Audre Lorde Project (ALP)</a>,<a href="http://GMHC.org"> Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC)</a>, <a href="http://bmxnational.org">Black Men's XChange</a>, <a href="http://socialjustice.ccnmtl.columbia.edu/index.php/African_Ancestral_Lesbians_United_For_Social_Change">African Ancestral Lesbians United for Societal Change (AALUSC)</a>, <a href="http://southernersonnewground.org">Southerners On New Ground (SONG)</a>, and <a href="http://lgbtfaithleadersofafricandescent">LGBT Faith Leaders of African Descent </a>encourage journalists to include black LGBT people in their coverage of Black History Month </p>
<p><span>Throughout February, GLAAD will feature guest posts from African-American LGBT writers, organizers and activists honoring the accomplishments of those who have paved the way for LGBT people of color and those who today continue to the work to improve the lives of LGBT people. </span><span>We have also distributed a </span><a href="http://www.glaad.org/publications/blackhistorymonthkit">Black History Month resource kit</a><span> to various media outlets urging them to include voices of black LGBT people in stories that survey African American history. Our resource kit includes suggestions for inclusive coverage, story ideas, a list of famous African American LGBT people and various media contacts.</span></p>
<p><img class="media-image" id="3" style="float: right; margin: 5px;" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/1200px/public/BHM-people.png?itok=E3SUiCpe" alt="" /><strong>FAMOUS AND NOTABLE LGBT AFRICAN AMERICAN PEOPLE</strong></p>
<p>Alice Walker: <em>author, poet, and advocate</em><br />Alvin Ailey: <em>choreographer and advocate</em><br />André Leon Talley: <em>editor-at-large for Vogue magazine, current contributing editor</em><br />Angela Davis: <em>political advocate, scholar, and author</em><br />Audre Lorde: <em>author and advocate</em><br />Bayard Rustin: <em>chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, advisor to Martin Luther King Jr. </em><br /><span>Bessie Smith: </span><em>blues singer</em><br /><span>Bill T. Jones: </span><em>artistic director, choreographer and dancer</em><br /><span>Countee Cullen: </span><em>poet</em></p>
<div>Darryl Stevens: <em>actor</em><br />Don Lemon: <em>reporter for CNN and news anchor</em><br />Doug Spearman: <em>actor</em><br />E. Denise Simmons: <em>mayor of Cambridge, Massachusetts, during the 2008-2009 term, first openly lesbian African American mayor in the United States</em><br />E. Lyn Harris: <em>author</em><br />Emil Wilbekin: <em>openly gay former managing editor of Essence.com</em><br />Felicia “Snoop” Pearson: <em>actress</em><br />Frenchie Davis: <em>musician</em><br />Frank Ocean, <em>musician</em><br />Glen Burke: <em>Major League Baseball player</em><br />Isis King: <em>America’s Next Top Model</em> <em>contestant</em><br />James Baldwin: <em>author</em><br />Janet Mock, <em>activist, author</em><br />Jasika Nicole: <em>actress</em><br />Jean-Michel Basquiat: <em>artist</em><br />John Amaechi:<em> former NBA player</em><br />Josephine Baker: <em>dancer, singer, and actress</em><br />June Jordan: <em>author</em><br />Kevin Aviance: <em>female impressionist and entertainer</em><br />Kylar Broadus, <em>lawyer, first trans-identified person to testify before Congress</em> <br />LZ Granderson: <em>ESPN.com columnist</em><br />Langston Hughes: <em>poet and social advocate</em><br />Laverne Cox: <em>actress, producer and transgender advocate</em><br />Lee Daniels: <em>film producer and director</em><br />Linda Villaros: <em>author, journalist and public speaker</em><br />Ma Rainey: <em>blues singer</em><br />Maurice Jamal: <em>filmmaker and director</em><br />Meshell Ndegeocello: <em>singer</em><br />Paris Barclay: <em>television director and producer</em><br />Patrik-Ian Polk: <em>director, producer, screenwriter, singer and actor</em><br />Roy Simmons: <em>former NFL player</em><br />RuPaul: <em>actor, drag queen and singer-songwriter</em><br />Sheryl Swoopes: <em>WNBA player</em><br />Stacy Ann Chin: <em>author and poet</em><br />Tracy Chapman: <em>singer</em><br />Wade Davis, <em>former NFL player</em><br />Wanda Sykes: <em>actress and comedian</em></div>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">February 1, 2013</span></div></div></div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a>, </li>
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Fri, 01 Feb 2013 14:57:21 +0000daryl62079 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-celebrates-black-history-month-honoring-lgbt-african-americans#commentsGLAAD Celebrates Bayard Rustin's Centennialhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-celebrates-bayard-rustins-centennial
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" height="229" id="2" style="width: 170px; height: 229px; float: right;" width="170" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/bayard-rustin.jpg?itok=BUhMdv9v" alt="" />Saturday, March 17 will mark the 100<sup>th</sup> birthday of visionary and civil rights leader <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/brother-outsiders-bayard-rustin-and-beyond">Bayard Rustin</a>. Rustin, an openly gay African American man, worked for more than 50 years as an advocate and strategist for human rights. He most famously advised Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and was the chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom where King made his infamous “I Have a Dream” speech. From the media to our history books, Rustin’s contributions are still relatively unknown.</p>
<p>That is why GLAAD was among organizations calling onto journalists to highlight his work as well as that of other African American LGBT trailblazers during <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-encourages-lgbt-inclusive-coverage-during-black-history-month">Black History Month</a> and beyond. Media outlets and LGBT advocates are beginning to do just that. Today Mandy Carter, a founder of the <a href="http://www.nbjc.org/">National Black Justice Coalition</a>, and Sharon Lettman Hicks, the Executive Director of NBJC <a href="http://nbjc.org/blog/nbjc-celebrates-black-gay-civil-rights-leader-bayard-rustins-100th-birthday-1912-2012">spoke out</a>, as well as <a href="http://lgbtpov.frontiersla.com/2012/03/17/happy-100th-birthday-bayard-rustin-video-photos/">Karen Ocamb of LGBT POV</a>.</p>
<p>Carter said:</p>
<blockquote><p>America needs to know that Bayard existed. Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and same-gender-loving people need to know that Rustin stood firm in his identity and, by his very presence, challenged others in the Civil Rights Movement to overcome homophobia.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Websites like <a href="http://www.theroot.com/views/recognition-overdue-activist-bayard-rustin">TheRoot.com</a>, an online destination for news and commentary from an African American perspective, acknowledge Rustin’s role in our history.</p>
<p>In <a href="http://www.theroot.com/views/recognition-overdue-activist-bayard-rustin">“Recognition Overdue for Bayard Rustin</a>,” The Root’s Edmund Newton notes:</p>
<blockquote><p>In truth, Rustin, who died in 1987 at age 75, may have been the one essential ingredient in the mix that miraculously gelled in the 1960s to bring down Jim Crow. He was the civil rights movement's master strategist, a visionary with an abiding commitment to nonviolent action who created the blueprint for huge advances in the cause of racial equality.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>“Bayard Rustin has deeply enriched our nation and our lives,” said Herndon Graddick, GLAAD’s Vice President of Programs and Communications. “His impact as an out Black gay man during the 1960s at the intersection of the Civil Rights Movement and the gay liberation movement helped lead to the advances in equality that we see today. His courage and dignity inspires all of us.”</p>
<p>GLAAD honors Rustin’s commitment to equality for all people, regardless of their race, gender, class or orientation. His legacy continues as we propel this movement forward.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">March 16, 2012</span></div></div></div>
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Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:14:09 +0000kimberleymcleod49247 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-celebrates-bayard-rustins-centennial#commentsThe Audre Lorde Project Celebrates its 15 Year Anniversaryhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/audre-lorde-project-celebrates-its-15-year-anniversary
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" height="220" id="2" style="width: 132px; height: 220px; float: right;" width="132" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/alp.png?itok=8R2Rqjs2" alt="" />In November 1996, the Audre Lorde Project (ALP) found a home in the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn. Since then and for the past 15 years ALP has helped LGBT people of color and allies in New York City and beyond.</p>
<p>“The vision for ALP grew out of the expressed need for innovative and unified community strategies to address the multiple issues impacting LGBTSTGNC [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans and Gender Non-Conforming] People of Color,” said Collette Carter, co-director of ALP in a statement. “For a decade and a half, our organization has been committed to mobilizing and educating community members while responsibly reflecting, representing and serving them.”</p>
<p>Some of the organization’s highlights over the years include: launching 3rd Space Support, a program that helps LGBTSTGNC People of Color who struggle with issues around employment, education, health care and immigration status; hosting the first annual Bed-Stuy Pride, a celebration of LGBTSTGNC People of Color in the Brooklyn neighborhood that featured performances, artists, vendors and activities for youth and adults; and recruiting nine local businesses to become safe spaces.</p>
<p>Tonight ALP will commemorate its 15th anniversary at Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square South, New York, NY 7 – 10 p.m. The event will feature a keynote address by activist and poet Chrystos and a performance by the Lavender Light Gospel Choir. Tickets for the event are sliding scale. No one is turned away. Childcare, wheelchair accessible space and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided.</p>
<p>For more information, visit <a href="http://www.alp.org/15years">www.alp.org/15years</a>.</p>
<p>GLAAD congratulates the Audre Lorde Project on this milestone. Our Programs team worked closely with the organization to coordinate media outreach for this historic moment. We look forward to future collaborations. </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">March 15, 2012</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a></li>
</ul>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/audre-lorder-project">Audre Lorder Project</a>, </li>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/black-lgbt">black LGBT</a></li>
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Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:39:57 +0000kimberleymcleod49224 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/audre-lorde-project-celebrates-its-15-year-anniversary#commentsWashington Post's Jonathan Capehart Discusses Racism and Homophobiahttp://www.glaad.org/blog/washington-posts-jonathan-capehart-discusses-racism-and-homophobia
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" height="176" id="22" style="width: 172px; height: 176px; float: right;" width="172" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Capehart.jpg?itok=tKXUNSTJ" alt="" />Arguing that both African Americans and LGBT people have been targets of violence and discrimination because of who they are, Washington Post columnist Jonathan Capehart in his most recent column spotlights the shared struggles between both groups--including those who are at the intersection of the two communities, i.e, Black LGBT people and their families. </p>
<p>Capehart noted:</p>
<blockquote><p>Both African Americans and gays have been denied equal access to the rights, responsibilities and protections the Constitution provides. Just last week, <a data-xslt="_http" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/maryland-politics/post/md-to-become-eighth-state-to-legalize-gay-marriage/2012/03/01/gIQAJKxmkR_blog.html" target="_blank">Maryland</a> became the eighth state in the country to legalize same-sex marriage. <a data-xslt="_http" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/post/a-big-gay-week-for-same-sex-marriage/2011/03/04/gIQAZaGzQR_blog.html" target="_blank">Washington State</a> joined the club on Feb. 13. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) vetoed a marriage equality bill last month and called for a public referendum. Putting the rights of a minority up to a popular vote is wrong, un-American and immoral.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The columnist went on to point out that numerous Black civil rights leaders have spoken out in support of marriage equality. “African American <a data-xslt="_http" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/16/us/maryland-gay-marriage-faces-black-skepticism.html?pagewanted=all" target="_blank">resistance</a> to same-sex marriage and <a data-xslt="_http" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/black-pastors-take-heat-for-not-viewing-same-sex-marriage-as-civil-rights-matter/2012/02/22/gIQAVZzeWR_story.html" target="_blank">linking the quest</a> for it to the black civil rights movement emerged again in the push for marriage equality in Maryland,” he wrote. “But an excellent counter to that are three black leaders who have been unashamed and vocal in their support of gay rights and who see the struggle of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans as part of what they’ve fought for their entire lives: equality.”</p>
<p>Among the advocates mentioned was Rev. Al Sharpton, who has long been a proponent of marriage equality and who <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/maryland-politics/post/sharpton-cuts-ad-for-maryland-same-sex-marriage-campaign/2012/02/07/gIQAfJBAxQ_blog.html" target="_blank">lent his voice </a>to the effort in Maryland. “All of us must fight for what’s fair and for what’s right....Maryland, the time is now,” Sharpton declared. “Let’s be fair. Let’s do the right thing.”</p>
<p><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="video/youtube" src="/modules/file/icons/video-x-generic.png" /> <a href="/" type="video/youtube; length=0">UincZIBDTII</a></span></p>
<p>Also noted were civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and former NAACP chairman Julian Bond.</p>
<p><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="video/youtube" src="/modules/file/icons/video-x-generic.png" /> <a href="/" type="video/youtube; length=0">Y4rj_mUhlYQ</a></span></p>
<p><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="video/youtube" src="/modules/file/icons/video-x-generic.png" /> <a href="/" type="video/youtube; length=0">6Exu6dG1E_Q</a></span></p>
<p>Read the full article <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/post/blacks-and-gays-the-shared-struggle-for-civil-rights/2011/03/04/gIQA32hinR_blog.html">here</a>.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">March 5, 2012</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/black-lgbt">black LGBT</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/marriage-equality">Marriage Equality</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/maryland">Maryland</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/jonathan-capehart">Jonathan Capehart</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/john-lewis">John Lewis</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/julian-bond">Julian Bond</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/naacp">NAACP</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/coad">COAD</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/reverend-al-sharpton">Reverend Al Sharpton</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:11:16 +0000kimberleymcleod49098 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/washington-posts-jonathan-capehart-discusses-racism-and-homophobia#commentsEBONY.com Spotlights African American Trans Trailblazershttp://www.glaad.org/blog/ebonycom-spotlights-african-american-trans-trailblazers
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" id="2" style="float: right; width: 176px; height: 347px;" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/transtrailblazers.jpg?itok=nnriH_1Y" alt="" />Today <a href="http://ebony.com/" target="_blank">Ebony</a><a href="http://www.ebony.com/">.com</a>, the online companion to the iconic monthly magazine that focuses on the African-American community, spotlights the contributions of transgender men and women to American history and Black heritage.</p>
<p>In “<a href="http://www.ebony.com/news-views/trans-trailblazers">A Look at African-American Trans Trailblazers</a>,” blogger and trans advocate Monica Roberts goes into detail about transgender African American pioneers that have paved the way for others to live authentically.</p>
<p>“Though February has passed<strong>,</strong> there is never a bad time to get reacquainted with African American history makers- the events that shaped our lives, our heroes and ‘sheroes,’” Roberts writes. “Over the last few years we've been paying closer attention to the accomplishments of Black gay and lesbian people such as Bayard Rustin. But there is another group of African Americans who have shaped our people's history: transgender people.”</p>
<p>The “transgriot” (a term based off the word ‘griot,’ a West African historian who can recite hundreds of years of history from memory, and also the title of Roberts’ <a href="http://transgriot.blogspot.com/">blog</a>) goes on to point out that transgender African Americans have been active contributors to history, even though they have often been overlooked. This is no recent development, explains Roberts. Their presence and contributions can be traced back through the centuries. The story of <a href="http://www.blackpast.org/?q=aaw/anderson-lucy-hicks-1886-1954">Lucy Hicks Anderson</a>, a trans woman born in 1886 in Waddy, KY is a prime example. Anderson lived life openly as a woman, married a man and later defended her gender identity in court when she was prosecuted for perjury. Transgender African Americans also actively participated in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s by organizing sit-ins and protests.</p>
<p>Acknowledging both the trans people we’ve lost and present-day pioneers like Kylar Broadus, Kye Allums and Janet Mock, Roberts hopes to see even more Black trans history made in the future.</p>
<p>GLAAD worked closely with both Monica Roberts and EBONY.com to place this article. We thank Monica Roberts for taking the time to write the piece and we commend EBONY.com for elevating the voices and stories of African American transgender people.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">March 1, 2012</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/transgender">Transgender</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/transgender">: transgender</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/black-history-month">Black History Month</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/black-lgbt">black LGBT</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/monica-roberts">Monica Roberts</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/ebony">Ebony</a></li>
</ul>
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Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:12:01 +0000kimberleymcleod49040 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/ebonycom-spotlights-african-american-trans-trailblazers#commentsGuest Post: Going Forward: Building on Faith and Communityhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/guest-post-going-forward-building-faith-and-community
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" id="2" style="float: right;" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/candacehardnett.png?itok=K00hI0GN" alt="" /><strong>By Candace Hardnett</strong></p>
<p>As Black History Month comes to an end and we continue to reflect on our many achievements as a people, it is crucial that we ask ourselves where we go from here. What kind of community should we be so inclined to create? As a Christian pastor, the answer for me is clear.</p>
<p>My faith demands that I teach and preach unconditional love. Christ taught that the greatest commandment is to love God and that we must also love one another. Our future as a people is a community that seeks to nurture our young black men and women, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. It is finding joy and laughter in our shared humanity -- not making fun of our LGBT brothers and sisters because of who they are and who they love. Finally, it is spreading compassion and understanding from our pulpits. This is our future. We owe it to ourselves.</p>
<p>Hatred has no place in our homes, in our schools, in our churches or on our streets. If we want to build strong communities we must not leave any thread of that community on the outside. If we continue to ignore, exclude, and marginalize the black LGBT community, we are dividing ourselves which in turn makes us weaker. In order to realize the full potential of our communities it requires that we work cohesively as a unit.</p>
<p>As Christ taught, a house divided cannot stand. If we want to progress then we must do so as a unit, not excluding any of our members, but with one kindred heart, loving one another until we realize full equality for all.</p>
<p>- Candace Hardnett</p>
<p><em>Candace E. Hardnett </em><em>is a local pastor and activist. She served her country as a United States Marine directly following 9/11. The wisdom, experience and discipline that she gained from the Corps carries forward into every facet of her life. She and her partner founded Agape Empowerment Ministries in 2009 and she serves as the senior pastor. She currently serves as co-chair of First City Network, Georgia's oldest GLBT organization.</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">February 29, 2012</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/religion-and-faith">Religion and Faith</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/black-lgbt">black LGBT</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/black-history-month">Black History Month</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/faith">Faith</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/african-american">African American</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:32:14 +0000kimberleymcleod49014 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/guest-post-going-forward-building-faith-and-community#commentsLoop 21 Spotlights the Stories of Black Transgender Menhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/loop-21-spotlights-stories-black-transgender-men
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" height="186" id="2" style="width: 241px; height: 186px; float: right;" width="241" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Kortney-Ziegler.jpg?itok=dFIyJHpb" alt="" />The Loop 21, a news and opinion site geared towards African Americans, recently highlighted the stories of black transgender men. In “<a href="http://loop21.com/life/becoming-trans-black-man">Becoming a (Trans) Black Man</a>,” editorial director, Chloe Hilliard, writes about how courageous young black transgender men use social media to document their transition:</p>
<blockquote><p>Social media sites have provided a ‘community’ for young transgender people. Among the small population that is finding its voice: black transgender men… Overlooked, the black trans community has succumbed to some startling statistics according to a recent study <a href="http://transequality.org/PDFs/NTDS_Report.pdf">Injustice at Every Turn: A Report of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey Injustice</a>.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Citing research from the study, Hilliard points out that 26 percent of Black transgender people are unemployed – twice the rate of all transgender people and four time that of the national rate. Forty one percent of black respondents said they had experienced homelessness at some point in their lives, more than five times the rate of the general U.S. population. Black transgender people also lived in extreme poverty with 34 percent reporting a household income of less than $10,000 per year. Additionally, HIV affects the black transgender community in devastating numbers.</p>
<p>In an interview with Loop 21, Jabari Miller, a 23-year-old black transgender man who documents his journey on YouTube talks about how coming across the videos of other young trans men helped with his physical transition.</p>
<p>“When I found that the process was feasible I was doing research on YouTube like many do,” he tells Loop 21.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.kortneyrziegler.net/">Dr. Kortney Ziegler</a> (pictured), a trans filmmaker and creator of the documentary <em><a href="http://www.stillblackfilm.org/">Still Black: A Portrait of Black Transmen</a></em>, also talks to Loop 21 about navigating the world as a black man and the racial discrimination he now faces.</p>
<p>“It opened my eyes to so many levels of discrimination that I knew existed but I didn’t live,” he explains. “Now that I live in this body it really is disappointing and sad how black men are treated.”</p>
<p>Jabari offers a slightly different perspective. “It is hard to be a black man in America,” he acknowledges. “The only difference I see is in establishments I notice that people watch me a little more. On the other hand I feel as though I get a lot more respect. I think it’s been easier for me. It’s also been easier to make friends. I don’t know I guess I seem more approachable.”</p>
<p>Read the full article <a href="http://loop21.com/life/becoming-trans-black-man">here</a>.</p>
<p>GLAAD commends Loop 21 for elevating the voices of black transgender men. We encourage other media outlets to follow in their strong example. We also encourage our constituents to leave positive comments on the website.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">February 28, 2012</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/transgender">Transgender</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/transgender">: transgender</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/black-lgbt">black LGBT</a></li>
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</div>
Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:43:35 +0000kimberleymcleod49009 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/loop-21-spotlights-stories-black-transgender-men#commentsGuest Post: LGBT Black Feminist Legacies in Publishinghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/guest-post-lgbt-black-feminist-legacies-publishing
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><strong>By Alexis Pauline Gumbs</strong></p>
<p><img class="media-image" id="6" style="float: left; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/Audre-Lorde-in-front-of-a-007.jpg?itok=n1J1ND0a" alt="" />Today, at a time when it is more important than ever for black LGBT folks to make our voices heard, I want to lift of up the legacy of extraordinary20th century Black LGBT and straight ally feminists who took inspiring strategic approaches to action, voice, publishing and power.</p>
<p>In fact, if we look at my two most cherished Black feminist ancestors, we can see four crucial elements of what I call a strategic transformative warrior approach to our own words as a powerful resource.</p>
<p>1. Take a Stand</p>
<p>“I entirely expect that you will print this last word.” -June Jordan</p>
<p><a href="http://junejordan.com/" target="_blank">June Jordan</a>, acclaimed Black bisexual poet, essayist, and political activist, was always ready to take a stand. Check out her archives at the Schlessinger Library at Harvard and you will see passionate letters of protest and demands for accountability addressed to the editors of every publication you have heard about, and many that have long since disappeared. </p>
<p>June Jordan took controversial and important political stands that threatened her relationship with the publishing industry, most bravely and notably her passionate protest against Israeli apartheid, solidarity with the Palestinian people, and her decision to stand with Winnie Mandela when she was the subject of scandal in South Africa. She also called for accountability from the publishing outlets she encountered and their actions towards herself and other women of color writers.</p>
<p>What are the controversial political issues that we need to raise our voices on today, whether or not they are marketable to the publishing industry? Where is our solidarity with people of color around the world most urgently needed in this moment?</p>
<p>2. Stand Together</p>
<p>“I hereby resign as Contributing Editor of Chrysalis. I take this action in absolute support of my sister, Audre Lorde.” –June Jordan</p>
<p>Many of Jordan’s angry letters ended with the threat above, daring the editors of the publication to print her words of protest and rage. My favorite angry letter by June Jordan was addressed to Chrysalis, a lesbian feminist magazine where she served as an honorary advisory board member while Audre Lorde served as poetry editor. When Audre Lorde quit the publication in frustration with the shady, disrespectful and racist behavior of the otherwise all-white editorial board, June Jordan quit too, with the parting words: “Tell me/show me how your hopelessly academic, pseudo-historical, incestuous and profoundly optional, profoundly trifling, profoundly upper middle class attic white publication can presume to represent our women’s culture.” The words burn the page. Chrysalis, unwilling to be accountable to women of color’s voices, ceased to exist.</p>
<p>What would it mean today for LGBT writers of color to refuse to be tokenized by publications that do not demonstrate accountability to the communities we love? What would it mean to refuse to be the next token when our comrades are burnt out by the racism of well-resourced organizations and publications?</p>
<p>What would it look like for us to stand for excellence, transformative inclusivity, and true accountability from our movement publications with passion and audacity?</p>
<p>3. Leverage Our Privilege and Opportunities</p>
<p>Similar to June Jordan’s choice to leverage her power when her name was used to provide political and racial credibility to particular publications, <a href="http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/306" target="_blank">Audre Lorde</a> chose strategically to use her power as the most visible Black lesbian poet of her lifetime to challenge the norms of every part of the publishing industry. She called for the Black Arts publishing movement to challenge its ideas of gender and sexuality and, most persistently, she challenged the feminist and lesbian gay publishing movements on their racism.</p>
<p>For example, at the 1991 Bill Whitehead Memorial Award for Lesbian and Gay Publishing ceremony where she was honored for her work, Audre Lorde used her acceptance speech to ask, “What’s at stake in lesbian and gay publishing in the 1990s” and to challenge the racism of the organization through its consistent exclusion of gay and lesbian writers of color.</p>
<p>Even as an economically struggling artist with burdensome medical bills at the end of her life, Audre Lorde refused to take the monetary award from the Triangle Foundation, the sponsors of the publishing award, proclaiming “If this group wishes to truly honor my work, built upon the creative use of difference for all our survivals, then I charge you, as a group, to include and further expose the work of new lesbian and gay writers of color within the coming year, and to report on what has been done at next year’s award ceremony.”</p>
<p>What would it mean for us to transform opportunities to shine, into specific institutional demands, bright with our visions for our collective brilliance as a community?</p>
<p>4. Create the Context We Deserve</p>
<p>Audre Lorde put her little bit of money where her mouth was. If you look in the papers of her fellow Black lesbian and gay artists, Joseph Beam, Pat Parker and others, you will find that she donated small amounts of money towards their projects whenever she got her tax return or had access to a little bit extra. And for me, this is the most crucial act.</p>
<p>Audre Lorde collaborated with Barbara Smith and other feminists of color to create Kitchen Table Press as an autonomous publishing space especially accountable to lesbians of color. June Jordan collaborated with her students at UC Berkeley to create the Poetry for the People Program, dedicated to telling the truth regardless of political backlash. Both of these institutions had a major impact on the literary world of the late 20th century and continue to impact us in the 21st century. But I want to highlight the fact that both of these artists devoted substantial energy to support the projects of <em>other</em> artists in their communities. Audre Lorde supported Pat Parker’s poetry workshops in prison and Joseph Beam’s work to spearhead a Black gay and lesbian magazine. June Jordan gave revolutionary underrepresented poets space to share their work and funding towards their art by bringing them to her university campus.</p>
<p>The commitment that June Jordan and Audre Lorde demonstrate reminds us that our voices are only worth the love they carry. </p>
<p>May we raise our voices in honor of each other and our ancestors. May we tangibly support the world we deserve.</p>
<p><em><a href="http://alexispauline.com/" target="_blank">Alexis Pauline Gumbs</a> is the founder of <a href="http://brokenbeautiful.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">BrokenBeautiful Press</a> and the co-creator of the <a href="http://www.mobilehomecoming.org/" target="_blank">Mobile Homecoming Project</a> which amplifies generations of LGBTQ Black Brilliance.</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">February 28, 2012</span></div></div></div>
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<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a></li>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/audre-lorde">Audre Lorde</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/june-jordan">June Jordan</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/alexis-pauline-gumbs">Alexis Pauline Gumbs</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/african-american">African American</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/black-history-month">Black History Month</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/bisexual">bisexual</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/women-color">women of color</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/women-0">Women</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/people-color">people of color</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/black-lgbt">black LGBT</a></li>
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Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:42:13 +0000daniheffernan49008 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/guest-post-lgbt-black-feminist-legacies-publishing#commentsGuest Post: One LGBT-Inclusive Black Church in Boston Paves the Wayhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/guest-post-one-lgbt-inclusive-black-church-boston-paves-way
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><strong>By Rev. Irene Monroe</strong></p>
<p><img class="media-image" id="2" style="float: left; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Rev%20Irene%20Monroe.png?itok=qi4usBoF" alt="" /><a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-encourages-lgbt-inclusive-coverage-during-black-history-month" target="_blank">Black History Month</a>, a national annual observance since 1926, is a time for honoring and celebrating the achievements of African Americans and their institutions, including the Black Church. Despite what seems like an ongoing cacophony of anti-gay rhetoric from some ministers, there is a growing number of Black LGBT-affirming pastors who continue to uphold the message of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's social gospel of the 1960's Civil Rights movement by working toward equality for LGBT people. Too often we hear African American ministers espouse they are supportive of LGBT people but claim they are stymied by their parishioners and church polity. Not all churches, however, allow anti-LGBT sentiment to stand in the way.</p>
<p>Union United Methodist Church (UUMC), a predominately African American congregation, located in Boston's South End- the epicenter of the city's LGBTQ community is one of them.When Hilda Evans, a parishioner of UUMC, suggested in 1996 the church opens its doors to the entire Boston's South End community, four later years later it did. And on February 15, 2000, Union United Methodist Church, led by the now retired Rev. Theodore L. Lockhart, became the nation's first African American Methodist and denominational church to officially become a "reconciling and inclusive" church. Union’s church council adopted a unanimous resolution to enthusiastically welcome LGBT worshippers along with a statement announcing that UUMC "...affirm the full participation in all aspects of our church life of all who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, regardless of their race, color, physical challenge, sexual orientation and/or affectional orientation.”</p>
<p>"The vote by Union United Methodist Church shows that even within the more strict religious institutions there is a diversity of opinions on gay and lesbian issues," said Donna Payne in 2000, then a Human Rights Campaign field organizer, working with people of color and the religious community. "Religious views on [LGBT issues] are not monolithic, and people of faith are increasingly speaking out in favor of full-inclusion for gay and lesbian worshipers in churches, synagogues and mosques throughout America. "Reverend Martin McLee, who served UUMC for eight years, had hoped the church would act as an example for other black churches on how to talk to the black community about LGBT equality. “We need to have a serious conversation about sexuality in our community,” McLee told Boston's black-owned newspaper, the Bay State Banner in 2002. “If we continue to marginalize our gay brothers and sisters, we are going to isolate them. It’s not holy.”</p>
<p>Whereas most black churches, locally and nationally, have been silent and/or inactive on the HIV/AIDS epidemic affecting their communities, UUMC continues to be an ally to this community. For example, before she died of AIDS, community AIDS activist Belynda Dunn, 49, brought frank talks about AIDS to the black church. And she did it first at UUMC. “... Belynda really lit a fire under me...That’s what Belynda did with everyone. She really helped us cross ideological lines and theological lines and not get hung up on the [LGBT inclusion]. She said to the black church: ‘Get over it, ’” said Rev. McLee.</p>
<p>UUMC was the first black church, and to date the only, to host Boston's Annual Gay Pride Interfaith Prayer service, and to have a "Happy Pride" sign posted in front of the church. ‘‘Gay folk have always been in the black church and the white church — that’s not new — but we don’t require folk to pretend that they’re not who they are, ’’ Rev. McLee told the Boston Globe in 2008.Since the church became inclusive of LGBT people, the congregation has hosted a gospel brunch after Sunday worship during Pride weekend for the African American community. McLee has since left UUMC, but the work toward LGBT inclusion continues on now with the Rev. LaTrelle Miller Easterling, the first female pastor in the church’s 190-year history.</p>
<p>In June 2011, more than 100 Methodist ministers in New England pledged to marry gay couples in defiance of the denomination’s ban on same-sex unions. Approximately 1 out of 9 Methodist clerics signed a statement pledging to open their churches to same-sex couples that stated, “We repent that it has taken us so long to act...We realize that our church’s discriminatory policies tarnish the witness of the church to the world, and we are [complicit].’’ The Rev. Easterling signed the statement saying she could not in good conscience deny a practicing member of her church her marriage blessing because the person is gay. “We’re laying on the line our ordination that many of us have worked four to eight years to get, as well as the expense and time of the seminary,’’ Easterling told the Globe. “I certainly stand by this movement.’’ UUMC is a movement, and it's an example not just for regional black churches in Boston, but nationwide.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Rev. Irene Monroe lives in Cambridge and is a Huffington Post blogger, and a syndicated religion columnist. A native of Brooklyn, Rev. Irene Monroe is a graduate from Wellesley College and Union Theological Seminary at Columbia University, and served as a pastor at an African-American church before coming to Harvard Divinity School for her doctorate as Ford Fellow. As a syndicated queer religion columnist, Monroe's columns appear in 43 cities across the country and in the U.K.</em></p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">February 27, 2012</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/religion-and-faith">Religion and Faith</a></li>
</ul>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/black-history-month">Black History Month</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/lgbt-inclusion">LGBT inclusion</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/black-church">Black Church</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/union-united-methodist-church">Union United Methodist Church</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/methodist">Methodist</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/reverend-irene-monroe">Reverend Irene Monroe</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/black">black</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/black-lgbt">black LGBT</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/african-american">African American</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/faith-leaders-african-descent">Faith Leaders of African Descent</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lgbt-faith-leaders-african-descenet">LGBT Faith Leaders of African Descenet</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:06:42 +0000daniheffernan48988 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/guest-post-one-lgbt-inclusive-black-church-boston-paves-way#commentsA Conversation with Clay Cane and Janet Mockhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/conversation-clay-cane-and-janet-mock
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" height="139" id="2" style="width: 305px; height: 139px; float: right;" width="305" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/janetmockandclaycane.png?itok=TIhFVnnK" alt="" />In honor of <a href="http://www.glaad.org/publications/blackhistorymonthkit">Black History Month</a>, the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/14/clay-cane-and-janet-mock-black-lgbt_n_1277424.html?ref=gay-voices"><em>Huffington Post Gay Voices</em> </a>“Voice To Voice,” a collection of interviews between LGBT authors discussing their work, queer life and some of the challenges of writing, spotlights the stories of African American LGBT people.</p>
<p>Last week they featured <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/08/laverne-cox-m-lamar-lgbt-black-communities_n_1262990.html" target="_hplink">Laverne Cox and her twin brother M. Lamar</a> and on Monday we offered a conversation between two Charlotte, North Carolina lesbian activists, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/13/lawana-mayfield-rhonda-watlington-lgbt_n_1273561.html?ref=gay-voices" target="_hplink">LaWana Mayfield and Rhonda Watlington</a>. On Tuesday the website shared Meshell Ndegeocello and Toshi Reagon's discussion.</p>
<p>Today <em>Gay Voices</em> features a conversation about identity between Clay Cane, a radio personality and journalist, and Janet Mock, People.com staff writer and GLAAD Media Award nominee.</p>
<p><strong><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="video/youtube" src="/modules/file/icons/video-x-generic.png" /><a href="/" type="video/youtube; length=0">SV8E3_1hNW4</a></span></strong></p>
<p>GLAAD commends the <em>Huffington Post </em>for elevating the stories of LGBT people of color during Black History Month. We encourage other media outlets to follow in their example.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">February 16, 2012</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/transgender">Transgender</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/african-american">African American</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/transgender-0">transgender</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/black-lgbt">black LGBT</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/clay-cane">Clay Cane</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/janet-mock">Janet Mock</a></li>
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Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:07:48 +0000kimberleymcleod48645 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/conversation-clay-cane-and-janet-mock#commentsI'm From Driftwood Spotlights Black LGBT Communityhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/im-driftwood-spotlights-black-lgbt-community
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" height="168" id="2" style="width: 264px; height: 168px; float: right;" width="264" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/amberhicks_0.jpg?itok=8ktllJAc" alt="" />In honor of Black History Month, the storytelling project <em>I’m From Driftwood </em>spotlighted members of the Black LGBT community. The online video series which collects and shares LGBT stories from all over the world also made a commitment to feature more stories of all people of color and different ethnicities beyond this month.</p>
<p>In “<a href="http://video.imfromdriftwood.com/video/16063425-amber-hikes-im-from-atlanta-ga-true-bisexual-stories">Amber Hikes (I'm From Atlanta, GA) - True Bisexual Stories</a>,” Amber shared a touching “coming out” story about her mother who was a straight ally. “My experience is that people of color, when I hear their coming out stories, there’s always some element of tragedy or real struggle or estrangement from their families, and while that certainly has been the case with a lot of people, it wasn’t my experience,” Amber explained.</p>
<p><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="video/youtube" src="/modules/file/icons/video-x-generic.png" /> <a href="/" type="video/youtube; length=0">0eTs7sQn5rI</a></span></p>
<p>In “<a href="http://video.imfromdriftwood.com/video/16063427-laverne-cox-im-from-mobile-al-true-transgender-stories">Laverne Cox (I'm From Mobile, AL) - True Transgender Stories</a>,” trans advocate and TV producer Laverne Cox remembered the bullying she experienced as a child, and how it’s similar to the transphobia she experiences as an adult.</p>
<p><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="video/youtube" src="/modules/file/icons/video-x-generic.png" /> <a href="/" type="video/youtube; length=0">6B6abyTQMlA</a></span></p>
<p>And in “<a href="http://video.imfromdriftwood.com/video/16076080-tyrone-smith-im-from-kinston-nc-true-gay-stories">Tyrone Smith (I'm From Kinston, NC) - True Gay Stories</a>” Tyrone, a 70-year-old gay man, recalled the onset of the AIDS epidemic and the pain it caused, but also how it brought the black LGBT community closer together than ever.</p>
<p><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="video/youtube" src="/modules/file/icons/video-x-generic.png" /> <a href="/" type="video/youtube; length=0">2l7JE2bw5rs</a></span></p>
<p>GLAAD commends <em>I’m From Driftwood </em>for elevating the stories of LGBT people of color. We encourage other media outlets to follow in their example.</p>
<p>For all the videos in their Black Community Spotlight Week, visit <a href="http://www.imfromdriftwood.com/category/black-community-spotlight/">http://www.imfromdriftwood.com/category/black-community-spotlight/</a>.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">February 15, 2012</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/transgender">Transgender</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/black-history-month">Black History Month</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/african-american">African American</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/transgender-0">transgender</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/laverne-cox">Laverne Cox</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/black-lgbt">black LGBT</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/blesbian">blesbian</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/isexual">isexual</a></li>
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Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:35:13 +0000kimberleymcleod48618 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/im-driftwood-spotlights-black-lgbt-community#comments"Brother Outsiders": Bayard Rustin and Beyondhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/brother-outsiders-bayard-rustin-and-beyond
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" id="6" style="float: left;" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/bayardrustin_4.jpg?itok=Fuj-Rqo8" alt="" />Throughout <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-encourages-lgbt-inclusive-coverage-during-black-history-month">Black History Month</a>, schools and community centers around the country will be screening the documentary film, <a href="http://rustin.org/?page_id=3"><em>Brother Outsider</em></a>. The film chronicles the life of <a href="http://rustin.org/?page_id=11">Bayard Rustin</a>, an openly gay African American man who worked for more than 50 years as an advocate and strategist for various human rights initiatives. He most famously advised Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and was the chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom where King made his infamous “I Have a Dream” speech. Yet, because he was gay, Rustin’s work and accomplishments were often carried out behind the scenes, and his legacy remains less well known than that of many of his contemporaries. Today, on the GLAAD blog, we are taking the time to highlight the life of Bayard Rustin, as well as the lives of other ‘brother outsiders’ from our history, who dealt with both racism and homophobia as they paved the way for others.</p>
<p>Bayard Rustin was born in 1912 and grew up in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He became involved with activist work after moving to New York in his early twenties. Rustin joined countless organizations, both domestic and international, throughout his life, and was committed to the pacifist teachings of his Quaker upbringing. He was arrested and incarcerated many times in his life for protesting war, racism in the South, and colonial rule in Africa, among other reasons. While in India, Rustin embraced Gandhi’s policy of non-violence, a practice he persuaded Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and participants in the Montgomery Bus Boycott to adopt.</p>
<p><img class="media-image" id="6" style="float: right;" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/billystrayhorn_1.jpg?itok=7ZJqbMTc" alt="" />Billy Strayhorn was a contemporary of Bayard Rustin. He was also an openly gay jazz musician and composer. Though known more for his extraordinary musical career working mostly with Duke Ellington, Strayhorn was also a committed advocate of civil rights and a friend to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Born in 1915 in Dayton, Ohio, Strayhorn developed his passion for music early on at his grandmother’s piano. At age 23, Strayhorn met Ellington during an impromptu audition and shortly after began composing songs for the Ellington Orchestra. He collaborated with Ellington on a number of famous works, including the pioneering musical, <em>Jump for Joy</em>, which featured an all-African American cast and dealt with issues of racism. In 1963, Strayhorn arranged and conducted the Ellington Orchestra’s performance of “King Fought the Battle of 'Bam’,” which honored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as part of the revue, <em>My People</em>. The documentary film, <a href="http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/billystrayhorn/film.html"><em>Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life</em></a>, provides further information about this incredibly talented, yet relatively unknown outside jazz circles, musical impresario.</p>
<p><img class="media-image" id="6" style="float: left;" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/richardbrucenugent_1.jpg?itok=QaOmXGu0" alt="" />Another pioneer is writer and visual artist, <a href="http://www.brucenugent.com/About%20Frameset.htm">Richard Bruce Nugent</a>. Nugent was born in Washington D.C. in 1906, but moved with his mother to New York following the death of his father in 1920. While working at various odd jobs, he cultivated his passion for art and soon declared his intention to focus on art fulltime to his mother, who promptly sent him back to Washington D.C. to live with his grandparents. Through befriending poet Georgia Douglas Johnson, Nugent was introduced to Langston Hughes and Alain Locke, both of whom published Nugent’s work, inducting him into the cannon of the Harlem Renaissance. In 1925, Nugent moved back to New York, where he met other Harlem Renaissance visionaries and contributed to the groundbreaking publication, <em>FIRE!!</em> – the only issue of an African American art magazine that featured a short story by Nugent, which many scholars consider the first literary work with openly gay themes written by an African American. Nugent expanded his repertoire, working on murals, using Japanese dyes, incorporating oils and pastels, and later becoming famous for his erotic art-deco drawings. Throughout his life, even in his marriage, Nugent remained open about his sexual orientation. His life is portrayed in part in the film <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0306597/"><em>Brother to Brother</em></a>.</p>
<p>GLAAD encourages the inclusion of <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-encourages-lgbt-inclusive-coverage-during-black-history-month">black LGBT people in media coverage</a> of Black History Month. For a list of famous and notable LGBT African American people, visit our <a href="http://www.glaad.org/publications/blackhistorymonthkit">Black History Month resource kit</a>. GLAAD will continue to highlight the achievements and viewpoints of the black LGBT community. </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">February 13, 2012</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/music">Music</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/film">Film</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/black-history-month">Black History Month</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/brother-outsider">Brother Outsider</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/bayard-rustin">Bayard Rustin</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/billy-strayhorn">Billy Strayhorn</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/richard-bruce-nugent">Richard Bruce Nugent</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/biography">biography</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/artist">artist</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/musician">musician</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/black-lgbt">black LGBT</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/black-gay-men">Black Gay Men</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/african-american">African American</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/people-color">people of color</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/civil-rights">civil rights</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:11:32 +0000daniheffernan48556 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/brother-outsiders-bayard-rustin-and-beyond#commentsWith GLAAD's Help, Media Coverage of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Gets it Righthttp://www.glaad.org/blog/glaads-help-media-coverage-national-black-hivaids-awareness-day-gets-it-right
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" id="6" style="float: left;" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/National%20Black%20HIV%20AIDS%20Awareness%20Day_1.jpg?itok=9rg4p_Yx" alt="" />Yesterday, people around the country observed <a href="http://nationalblackaidsday.org/" target="_blank">National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day</a> (NBHAAD). In an effort to elevate the conversation around the important issues that this day addresses, GLAAD helped place articles at several media outlets.</p>
<p> At The Huffington Post’s Black Voices section, Executive Director and CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), Sharon J. Lettman-Hicks, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharon-j-lettmanhicks/national-black-hivaids-awareness-day_b_1258763.html" target="_blank">discusses the stigma and silence surrounding HIV/AIDS in the black community</a> that must be dealt with for the sake of health. She writes, “Discussing human sexuality and prevention techniques is not the same as offering an endorsement of or enabling unsafe sexual behaviors. On the contrary, helping our children and church-goers protect themselves is an act of compassion and faith. As parents and clergy, it is our responsibility…Out of love for our people and ourselves, we have to find constructive ways to embrace human sexuality without judgment.”</p>
<p>Phill Wilson, President and CEO of the Black AIDS Institute, <a href="http://www.thegrio.com/health/national-black-hiv-aids-awarness-we-can-end-the-black-hiv-aids-epidemic.php" target="_blank">outlined the organization’s four-part approach to ending AIDS among African Americans</a> on TheGrio. “These paradigm shifts are imperative for every community affected by HIV, but they are especially vital for black communities,” he explained with reference to the forthcoming “State of AIDS in Black America” report. “Black AIDS organizations must become patient navigators, and information translators and disseminators. They must also begin to connect the dots between HIV/AIDS and the overall health disparities in black communities.”</p>
<p>On the GA Voice, AIDS United’s Regional Organizer for the South, Charles Stephens, addresses the growing need for resources to <a href="http://www.thegavoice.com/opinion/your-voice/4148-why-we-must-respond-to-the-hiv-crisis-among-african-americans-in-the-south" target="_blank">help prevent and raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in this area of the country</a>. Stephens notes, “In the Deep South, 35 percent of all new U.S. infections come from the region, though it makes up just 22 percent of the country's population. Despite these numbers, the region lags behind the rest of the nation in HIV/AIDS funding. Failure to act in an impactful way could lead to a worsening of poor health outcomes for people living with HIV in the South, including death.”</p>
<p>GLAAD’s Communities of African Descent Media Field Strategist, Kimberley McLeod, <a href="http://www.ebony.com/wellness-empowerment/changing-the-discourse-of-hivaids-in-the-black-community" target="_blank">wrote an op-ed for EBONY.com</a>, highlighting the fact that many have blamed this epidemic on closeted gay and bisexual African American men, rather than examining the high-risk behaviors that occur independently of sexual orientation. “At the end of the day, the only thing blame does is fuel stigma. And stigma kills,” writes Kimberley. “So instead of pointing fingers at who we think is perpetuating the problem, let’s each become a part of the solution. We can start by talking without judgment about testing, treatment and prevention.”</p>
<p>Increasing media coverage of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is part of GLAAD’s ongoing work to recognize and elevate issues of importance to LGBT communities of color. In the coming weeks, GLAAD will continue sharing stories relevant to <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-encourages-lgbt-inclusive-coverage-during-black-history-month" target="_blank">Black History Month</a> and the LGBT community. </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">February 8, 2012</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/news">News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/national-black-hiv-aids-awareness-day">National Black HIV AIDS Awareness Day</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/black-history-month">Black History Month</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/huffington-post">Huffington Post</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/ga-voice">GA Voice</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/grio">The Grio</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/ebony">Ebony</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/black-gay-men">Black Gay Men</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/black-lesbians">black lesbians</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/black-lgbt">black LGBT</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/african-american">African American</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/people-color">people of color</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/hivaids">HIV/AIDS</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:40:50 +0000daniheffernan48411 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/glaads-help-media-coverage-national-black-hivaids-awareness-day-gets-it-right#commentsGLAAD Observes National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Dayhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-observes-national-black-hivaids-awareness-day
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" id="2" style="float: left;" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/NBHAAD.jpg?itok=YE0fuLw-" alt="" />Today, GLAAD is joining countless individuals and organizations around the country in observing the 12th annual <a href="http://nationalblackaidsday.org/" target="_blank">National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day</a> (NBHAAD). NBHAAD <a href="http://www.blackaidsday.org/about_nbhaad.html" target="_blank">was founded</a> in 1999 by five organizations: the Concerned Black Men, Inc. of Philadelphia; Health Watch Information and Promotion Services, Inc.; Jackson State University - Mississippi Urban Research Center; National Black Alcoholism and Addictions Council; and National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS. These organizations, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sought to provide African American communities nationwide with education about HIV/AIDS, offer accessible testing options, encourage community involvement, and connect those already affected by HIV/AIDS with adequate treatment.</p>
<p>Nearly 20,000 African Americans in the United States test positive for HIV each year. In 2008, the diagnosis rate of HIV among African Americans was 9 times that of Caucasian Americans. Given the disproportionate toll this terrible epidemic has had on the African American population, it is critical that we proactively implement and support education and prevention efforts that are specifically aimed towards the Black community.</p>
<p>In addition to the general African American population, studies show staggering rates of new HIV infection among gay and bisexual African American men. <a href="http://www.gmhc.org/news-and-events/press-releases/gmhc-commemorates-black-history-month-in-its-30th-year" target="_blank">As reported by the Gay Men’s Health Crisis</a> (GMHC), nearly 1 in 3 gay and bisexual black men living in an urban area is infected with HIV, and the majority does not know they are infected. "Clearly black gay and bisexual men face a serious uphill battle in the fight against HIV/AIDS," said Marjorie J. Hill Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of GMHC in a statement. "We must continue to pay more attention to constructive HIV prevention messages that are tailored to this already-disenfranchised segment of our population.”</p>
<p>GLAAD has helped elevate the message of NBHAAD through the online media by placing articles at various outlets:</p>
<p> At <em>The Huffington Post’s</em> Black Voices section, Executive Director and CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), Sharon J. Lettman-Hicks, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharon-j-lettmanhicks/national-black-hivaids-awareness-day_b_1258763.html" target="_blank">discusses the stigma and silence surrounding HIV/AIDS in the black community</a> that must be dealt with for the sake of health. She writes, “Discussing human sexuality and prevention techniques is not the same as offering an endorsement of or enabling unsafe sexual behaviors. On the contrary, helping our children and church-goers protect themselves is an act of compassion and faith. As parents and clergy, it is our responsibility…Out of love for our people and ourselves, we have to find constructive ways to embrace human sexuality without judgment.”</p>
<p>Phill Wilson, President and CEO of the Black AIDS Institute, <a href="http://www.thegrio.com/health/national-black-hiv-aids-awarness-we-can-end-the-black-hiv-aids-epidemic.php" target="_blank">outlined the organization’s four-part approach to ending AIDS among African Americans</a> on TheGrio. “These paradigm shifts are imperative for every community affected by HIV, but they are especially vital for black communities,” he explained with reference to the forthcoming “State of AIDS in Black America” report. “Black AIDS organizations must become patient navigators, and information translators and disseminators. They must also begin to connect the dots between HIV/AIDS and the overall health disparities in black communities.”</p>
<p>On the <em>GA Voice</em>, AIDS United’s Regional Organizer for the South, Charles Stephens, addresses the growing need for resources to <a href="http://www.thegavoice.com/opinion/your-voice/4148-why-we-must-respond-to-the-hiv-crisis-among-african-americans-in-the-south" target="_blank">help prevent and raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in this area of the country</a>. Stephens notes, “In the Deep South, 35 percent of all new U.S. infections come from the region, though it makes up just 22 percent of the country's population. Despite these numbers, the region lags behind the rest of the nation in HIV/AIDS funding. Failure to act in an impactful way could lead to a worsening of poor health outcomes for people living with HIV in the South, including death.”</p>
<p>GLAAD’s Communities of African Descent Media Field Strategist, Kimberley McLeod, <a href="http://www.ebony.com/wellness-empowerment/changing-the-discourse-of-hivaids-in-the-black-community" target="_blank">wrote an op-ed for EBONY.com</a>, highlighting the fact that many have blamed this epidemic on closeted gay and bisexual African American men, rather than examining the high-risk behaviors that occur independently of sexual orientation. “At the end of the day, the only thing blame does is fuel stigma. And stigma kills,” writes Kimberley. “So instead of pointing fingers at who we think is perpetuating the problem, let’s each become a part of the solution. We can start by talking without judgment about testing, treatment and prevention.”</p>
<p>For more information National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and to learn how you can get involved, please visit <a href="http://nationalblackaidsday.org/" target="_blank">NationalBlackAIDSDay.org</a> and continue to follow the GLAAD blog for more LGBT-inclusive coverage during Black History Month.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">February 7, 2012</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/news">News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/national-black-hiv-aids-awareness-day">National Black HIV AIDS Awareness Day</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/black-history-month">Black History Month</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/national-black-justice-coalition">National Black Justice Coalition</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/black-aids-institute">Black AIDS Institute</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/aids-united">AIDS United</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/gay-mens-health-crisis">Gay Men&#039;s Health Crisis</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/black-gay-men">Black Gay Men</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/black-lgbt">black LGBT</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/black-lesbians">black lesbians</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/african-american">African American</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/huffington-post">Huffington Post</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/ebony">Ebony</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/ga-voice">GA Voice</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/grio">The Grio</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hivaids">HIV/AIDS</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:14:56 +0000daniheffernan48327 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-observes-national-black-hivaids-awareness-day#commentsTheGrio Recognizes Trans Advocate Janet Mockhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/thegrio-recognizes-trans-advocate-janet-mock
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" height="229" id="2" style="width: 204px; height: 229px; float: right;" width="204" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/janetmock_1.jpg?itok=3omrPq4v" alt="" />In honor of Black History Month, <a href="http://www.thegrio.com/">theGrio</a> reflects on black America’s past as well as America’s future. The news site recently announced theGrio’s 100 list, class of 2012, a list that “highlights the best, not just from the black community, but from all of America. These are 100 individuals with stories of perseverance, ingenuity, and triumph that define the American dream, and provide hope to black, white, brown, gay, straight, rich, poor, Republicans and Democrats alike.” On this year’s list, theGrio recognizes <a href="http://janetmock.com/">Janet Mock</a>, trans advocate and People.com editor.</p>
<p>In describing Janet, theGrio wrote:</p>
<p>“Janet Mock is making history … as an advocate for transgender individuals. By putting her story in the national spotlight, Janet, previously known as just another young, black professional woman, has challenged the stigma surrounding gender identity.”</p>
<p>Last year Janet told her story to writer Kierna Mayo for a very personal and touching article published by <a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/sex-love/relationship-issues/born-male"><em>Marie Claire</em></a>. The article is currently nominated for a <a href="http://www.glaad.org/mediaawards">GLAAD 2012 Media Award</a> in the “Outstanding Magazine Article” category.</p>
<p>GLAAD commends theGrio for an inclusive list that recognizes the contributions of LGBT people of color. We congratulate Janet Mock on this well-deserved recognition.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">February 1, 2012</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/transgender">Transgender</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/janet-mock">Janet Mock</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/people-color">people of color</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/transgender-0">transgender</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/african-american">African American</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/black-lgbt">black LGBT</a></li>
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Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:57:59 +0000kimberleymcleod47993 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/thegrio-recognizes-trans-advocate-janet-mock#commentsESSENCE Features Same-Sex Couple in February 2012 Issuehttp://www.glaad.org/blog/essence-features-same-sex-couple-february-2012-issue
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" height="232" id="2" style="width: 177px; height: 232px; float: right;" width="177" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/essencefeb2012.jpg?itok=dyE6KF-E" alt="" />ESSENCE, a monthly magazine for African American women, spotlights a same-sex couple in their “Find Love at Any Age” feature in the February 2012 issue.</p>
<p>The 8-page spread, which includes various couples that have found love at different stages in their lives, also tells the story of Audrey Smaltz, 74, and Gail Marquis, 61, and their unexpected courtship.</p>
<p>Gail, a former professional basketball player who had won a silver medal in the 1976 Olympics, spotted Audrey, a former model, at a personal development seminar where Audrey was presenting. Captivated by Audrey’s energy, Gail signed up for another seminar she was teaching and approached her at the end of the class. The two clicked instantly. </p>
<blockquote><p>Gail simply says they are best friends: “We love each other’s company.” The couple agree that they haven’t had a lot of hurdles to overcome, mainly because, Audrey says, she did not care what anybody thought. “Some friends said it’s a fling; it won’t last,” she recalls. “But I didn’t care. I’ve always told people that I am not a lesbian, I am in love with Gail, but you can put a title on it if you want.” The only person Audrey sought for a blessing? Her pastor. “I kept trying to get an appointment. It took me five months,” she says. Her pastor had only one question: “Does she know God?” he asked. “That’s all that matters.” ("Love at Any Age," ESSENCE, Feb. 2012)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Audrey proposed six months after they met back in 1999. When New York passed marriage equality last June, they held a wedding in Central Park along with 100 friends.</p>
<p>GLAAD applauds ESSENCE for continuing to shine light on LGBT love and lives. Show your support of their inclusive coverage by purchasing ESSENCE’s February issue (on stands now) and tweeting this message: “Thank you @essencemagazine for shining light on LGBT love and lives in your Feb. 2012 issue!”</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">January 30, 2012</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/african-american">African American</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/black-lgbt">black LGBT</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/essence">Essence</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/marriage-equality">Marriage Equality</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:39:26 +0000kimberleymcleod47877 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/essence-features-same-sex-couple-february-2012-issue#commentsRemembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Legacyhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/remembering-dr-martin-luther-king-jrs-legacy
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" height="272" id="2" style="float: right;;" width="184" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/bayardrustinandking.jpg?itok=umXRXtl4" alt="" />As we remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision of equality, <a href="http://www.itlmedia.org/">IN THE LIFE</a>, the only national LGBT issue-oriented television program, looks back at inspiring interviews with LGBT people and allies “who stood up, spoke out and made a difference in the fight for full LGBT equality.” Public television stations across the country will begin airing “First Class Citizens,” an episode honoring pioneers in the pursuit of LGBT equality. The episode highlights the contributions of openly lesbian African American Hon. Judge Deborah Batts, former NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, and former National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) President Keith Boykin. (Watch the entire episode below.)</p>
<p>In a conversation filmed in 2008 with Pulitzer prize-winning journalist and <em>Washington Post</em> editorial writer Jonathan Capeheart and Julian Bond, Bond reflected on the contributions of openly gay civil rights advocate Bayard Rustin and his influence on Dr. King:</p>
<blockquote><p>He was a seminal figure in this movement because King depended on Bayard for so many things. He was King’s first educator in non-violence and he just expanded King’s knowledge of this hundredfold. Bayard wrote the first article published under King’s name. To say he organized the March on Washington really doesn’t give him enough credit.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Bond went on to talk about how the late Coretta Scott King, Dr. King’s wife, was a strong LGBT advocate. “Her advocacy in these things is relatively unknown,” he continued. “She was in many ways a remarkable person.”</p>
<p>In response to a question about the connection between race and sexual orientation, Bond responded, “At the bottom it’s these immutable characteristics. You are what you are. And you cannot be discriminated against, in this country, for what you are.” He went on the emphasize that the Civil Rights Movement and the LGBT movement “draw from each other” in a way that other movements like the Latino movement, women’s movement and labor movement drew tactics and slogans from one another. “[The black community] ought to be proud of this,” he said in the clip. “We created a model that other people have followed and they followed it successfully.” </p>
<p>GLAAD commemorates Dr. King’s legacy and how it lives on in the movement for equality for all. </p>
<p><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="video/youtube" src="/modules/file/icons/video-x-generic.png" /><a href="/" type="video/youtube; length=0">Ui9SSePtDSA</a></span></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">April 4, 2012</span></div></div></div>
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<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a></li>
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Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:54:59 +0000glaad47497 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/remembering-dr-martin-luther-king-jrs-legacy#commentsGLAAD Interviews 'Pariah' Director Dee Reeshttp://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-interviews-pariah-director-dee-rees
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" height="260" id="2" style="width: 204px; height: 260px; float: right;" width="204" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/deerees.jpg?itok=2xERlIPM" alt="" />After garnering much buzz at Sundance this year, the independent feature <em>Pariah</em> was picked up by Focus Features and hit theaters in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco yesterday. The coming-of-age film follows Alike (pronounced “ah-lee-kay”), a 17-year-old African American lesbian from Brooklyn, N.Y., as she learns to embrace her identity. GLAAD asked director Dee Rees (pictured right) some questions about the film and her own journey as an out African American lesbian.</p>
<p><strong>What was the inspiration behind <em>Pariah</em>?</strong> <strong>And what parts of Alike’s story do you identify with?</strong></p>
<p><em>Pariah </em>is semi-autobiographical. I went through some similar experiences. Like Alike, when I came out, I had a struggle with my parents accepting who I was, and I also had the internal struggle of realizing that my spirituality and my sexuality were not mutually exclusive. That’s what Alike comes to realize on top of her journey - discovering that even within the gay world she doesn’t have to check a box, she doesn’t have to be hard, she doesn’t have to be soft, she can just be herself. Those are things I dealt with in my own coming out experience, and I placed them on to this 17-year-old character. I have also been heavily influenced by work from authors like Audre Lorde and Alice Walker.</p>
<p><strong>Why is it important to tell our stories on-screen?</strong></p>
<p>Growing up, I rarely saw my image reflected on screen. <em> The Color Purple</em> and <em>Women of Brewster Place</em> are the few films I was allowed to watch when I was younger that touched on sexuality. I made <em>Pariah </em>to portray images on screen that we hadn’t seen before, and to bring to light the experiences of gay youth of color because those stories hadn't been fully told. The film experience is powerful because by taking you into the world of <em>Pariah </em>for ninety minutes, I can prove to you that we all are more alike than different. We all have dealt with the coming of age process and figuring out how to be ourselves.</p>
<p><strong>The film tackles gender, sexuality, religion, and class. Why was that important?</strong></p>
<p>Life and relationships are layered and nuanced for everyone – regardless of race, gender, sexuality, religion or class. No one is a supporting character in their own life, so it was important to infuse the nuance and layers of gender, sexuality, religion and class into this story because that makes it a truly authentic depiction of these characters' lives and shatters stereotypes.</p>
<p><strong>The cast, everyone from Kim Wayans to newcomer Adepero Oduye, completely nailed their roles. What was the casting process and rehearsals like?</strong></p>
<p>Adepero (who plays Alike) is amazing. She actually came to us on the first day of auditions, when we were doing the short version of the film in 2006, and she just had this innate understanding of Alike’s outsider-ness. It was important for me to have an actress who could relate to what it feels like to be on the outside and to feel like you don’t quite fit in. Adepero just captured that perfectly. She came out dressed in her little brother’s clothes, and she was in the zone. She was so focused and not at all self-conscious. She totally immersed herself in it. I believed every second of it, when she was in front of me. She had that expressiveness and that ability to capture Alike’s hesitancy and her introversion, so she was perfect.<br /><br /> And Pernell Walker (who plays Laura) also came in on the short film. It wasn’t just important that the actresses be good, but it was important that they be good together, and she and Adepero had this chemistry. It was clear, in the room. You could believe that they would be friends and that they would be hanging out together.<br /><br /> I saw Aasha Davis (who plays the love interest, Bina) on TV. I had just watched an episode of <em>Friday Night Lights</em>. She had a three-episode arc, and I thought she was amazing.</p>
<p>And Sahra Mellesse (who plays Alike's little sister Sharonda) also came in on the short film. In the end, it was about the dynamics. Sahra worked well with Adepero, and they bounced off each other. We just found a really great ensemble cast.<br /><br /> With the parents, those were harder roles to cast. Our casting director, Eyde Belasco, actually ended up casting those roles out in L.A. With the family, we wanted to have a believable family dynamic. For the character of Audrey (Alike's mother), we had to have somebody who had that loneliness and vulnerability, and Kim [Wayans] was the only actress who really brought that forward. With Arthur (Alike's father), he needed to be somebody who was believably strong and was a man among men, but had this soft side for his daughter, and Charles Parnell really brought that forward. It was just a really beautiful ensemble cast, and we worked really hard and spent a lot of time to make sure that we got it right.<br /><br /> For rehearsals, I felt it was important to focus on building and strengthening the relationships between the characters and creating shared memories. So instead of table readings and running lines, I had Adepero and Pernell get into character and go to Dave &amp; Buster’s in Times Square so they could experience what it’s like to be black and lesbian in a “straight environment.” Conversely, I also had them go in character to a Black &amp; Latino lesbian party in NYC to experience and build a relationship.<br /><br />For Aasha Davis’s character, Bina, I was fortunate to workshop the love scenes at the Sundance Director’s Lab where I had Aasha and Adepero ride the ski lift together and they exchanged letters while we were waiting for financing to come in.</p>
<p>Letter writing and card sending were also tools I used to create experience and back story for the relationship between the parents and from the parents to their kids, as well as between Laura and her sister Candace (played by Shamika Cotton).<br /><br />Finally, before shooting I brought in a psychotherapist friend to conduct a mock therapy session with the actors playing Alike, Audrey, Arthur and Sharonda to really hone in on the family dynamics.</p>
<p><strong>How would you describe your experience and relationship with Spike Lee as your mentor and the film’s executive producer?</strong></p>
<p>Spike Lee came on as executive producer as we were developing the film. He was one of my professors at NYU, and I interned with him. So, that’s where the relationship started. He read the script and gave us feedback, and then Nekisa Cooper, the producer, asked him to come on board and become executive producer because he was basically acting as one by being such a mentor to us. He gave us guidance and feedback as we went through the process. It was great having him there, even as we moved on to distribution he was there.</p>
<p><strong>How does <em>Pariah</em> universally appeal to audiences regardless of their race or orientation?</strong></p>
<p>It’s important to note that I didn’t write <em>Pariah </em>worrying about how it would be received or what people would think. I knew that if I was true to Alike and her world, that people would be able to tap in. I really wanted to trust the audience, and knew the audience would be smart and be able to relate. At the end of the day, the film is about identity, friendship, family and love. Whether you are gay, straight, black, white, male, or female, the film invites you to connect with one or more of the characters in the story.</p>
<p><strong>What message do you hope people walk away with?</strong></p>
<p>I want people to be okay with the fact that it’s okay to be themselves and that they don’t have to check a box. Gay or straight, whoever you are, you need to be your authentic self and you don’t need to conform to people’s expectations of who you should be.</p>
<p><strong>What’s next for Dee Rees?</strong></p>
<p>I actually just finished another script for Focus Features, called <em>Bolo</em>. It’s a thriller, set in the South. I’m also working on a TV series with HBO and Viola Davis. And, I also finished another feature script called <em>Large Print</em>, which is about this 50-something insurance adjustor. This story talks about how to redefine happiness for yourself. I’m always excited about stories that allow me to explore a character and create interesting stories and worlds that haven't been seen before.</p>
<p><strong>Watch the trailer for <em>Pariah</em> below. Find a listing of theaters <a href="http://www.focusfeatures.com/pariah/theatres">here</a>. </strong><br /> </p>
<p><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="video/youtube" src="/modules/file/icons/video-x-generic.png" /><a href="/" type="video/youtube; length=0">NwYtHVlQN9c</a></span></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">December 29, 2011</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/entertainment">Entertainment</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/film">Film</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a></li>
</ul>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/pariah">Pariah</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/african-american">African American</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lgbt-film">LGBT film</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/dee-rees">Dee Rees</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/black-lgbt">black LGBT</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/black-lesbians">black lesbians</a></li>
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Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:48:49 +0000amitaswadhin46202 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-interviews-pariah-director-dee-rees#commentsTheGrio Interviews Clay Cane About New LGBT Radio Showhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/thegrio-interviews-clay-cane-about-new-lgbt-radio-show
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p></p><p><a href="http://www.thegrio.com/entertainment/new-yorks-wwrl-1600am-launches-new-voice-of-black-gay-life.php"><img class="media-image" height="174" id="2" style="WIDTH: 230px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 174px" width="230" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/clay-cane.jpg?itok=TNgbv6Br" alt="" />TheGrio</a>, a news site geared toward African Americans, recently featured Clay Cane, openly gay BET.com entertainment editor and new host of New York radio's WWRL 1600AM show, <em>Clay Cane Live</em>. Last month WWRL, a progressive talk radio station which has traditionally appealed to an African American audience, announced a new line-up of hosts for their <a href="http://www.wwrl1600.com/Equality-Pride-Radio/11281202">Equality Pride Radio</a>.</p><br /><p>Equality Pride Radio aims to provide programming for the greater LGBT community in New York City. Cane, the only African American host, “has chosen to represent his inherent dualities with indiscriminate pride.”</p><br /><p>“When I quote Zora Neale Hurston's ‘I am not tragically colored’ it reflects how I feel about being both black and gay. I love being all of who I am. I see it all as a blessing,” he tells theGrio.</p><br /><p>The 34-year-old is also a regular contributor to TV One, theGrio and the <em>Washington Post</em> online magazine, theRoot. He has interviewed numerous icons, from Beyoncé Knowles and Janet Jackson to Denzel Washington, Nicki Minaj and 50 Cent.</p><br /><p><em>Clay Cane Live</em>, debuting tonight, will air every Thursday at 11 p.m. EST on WWRL 1600AM and stream worldwide on <a href="http://www.wwrl1600.com/pages/9796144.php">wwrl1600.com</a>. Topics will range from music to pop culture and social issues in African American life.</p><br /><p>“Hopefully, I can convey a sentiment of non-judgment while transcending all labels,” Cane explains. “My plan to do that? Being prepared, consistent and, quite simply, just being my authentic self. If I were trying to be anything or anyone else, my career would've stalled years ago.”</p><br /><p>Read the full interview <a href="http://www.thegrio.com/entertainment/new-yorks-wwrl-1600am-launches-new-voice-of-black-gay-life.php">here</a>.</p><br /><p>Follow Clay on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/claycane">http://www.twitter.com/claycane</a>.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">November 10, 2011</span></div></div></div>
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<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a></li>
</ul>
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<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/black-lgbt">black LGBT</a></li>
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Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:02:24 +0000kimberleymcleod45621 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/thegrio-interviews-clay-cane-about-new-lgbt-radio-show#commentsThe Root Highlights Discrimination Faced By Transgender African Americanshttp://www.glaad.org/blog/root-highlights-discrimination-faced-transgender-african-americans
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p></p><p><img class="media-image" height="301" id="2" style="WIDTH: 206px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 301px" width="206" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Kylar%20Broadus_0.jpg?itok=DqSM1Ion" alt="" />In a recent article, <em><a href="http://www.theroot.com/">The Root</a></em>, a leading online source of news and commentary from an African-American perspective, spotlights the challenges and perseverance of Black transgender people.</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.theroot.com/views/black-and-transgender-double-burden?page=0,0&amp;wpisrc=root_lightbox--">The poignant piece</a> opens with the job discrimination experienced by Kylar Broadus (pictured right), an African-American lawyer and board member of the <a href="http://nbjc.org/" target="_blank">National Black Justice Coalition</a>, a national black LGBT civil rights organization based in Washington, D.C.</p><br /><p>"I am a human being who deserves the right to make a living like everyone else," he tells the online news source.</p><br /><p>The Root’s Kellee Terrell reports:</p><br /><blockquote><br /><p>Broadus' experiences are not rare. The harsh reality is that whether they possess a J.D. or a GED, members of the African-American transgender community face severe discrimination, according to the recent study <em sizcache="1" sizset="44"><a href="http://www.thetaskforce.org/downloads/reports/reports/ntds_summary.pdf" target="_blank">Injustice at Every Turn</a>: A Report of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey </em>(pdf). The survey, the first of its kind, was a collaboration between the <a href="http://www.thetaskforce.org/" target="_blank">National Gay and Lesbian Task Force</a>, the <a href="http://transequality.org/" target="_blank">National Center for Transgender Equality</a> and the National Black Justice Coalition. It collected data from more than 6,500 transgender Americans and found that all transgender people face severe bias ranging from housing and health care to education and employment.</p><br /><p sizcache="1" sizset="47">But when researchers took a deeper look at the <a href="http://www.thetaskforce.org/downloads/reports/reports/ntds_black_respondents.pdf" target="_blank">discrimination that the black respondents faced</a> (pdf) -- all 381 of them -- the data jumped out at them. "What was really poignant were these stark differences. In every case, black respondents fared worse than the nonblack respondents in the national survey," says Darlene Nipper, deputy executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "This is because black transgender people face anti-transgender bias coupled with structural and institutionalized racism."</p></blockquote><br /><p>Other voices included Monica Roberts, a 49-year-old black transgender advocate and founder of the award-winning blog <a href="http://transgriot.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">TransGriot</a>, the National Black Justice Coalition’s executive director, Sharon Lettman-Hicks and Darlene Nipper, deputy executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.</p><br /><p>The article also acknowledges the progress that is being made:</p><br /><blockquote><br /><p>Despite the devastating statistics, it's important to recognize that the very existence of such data is a victory of sorts because historically, reaching the transgender community -- especially people of color -- has been incredibly difficult for researchers. Even the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention falls short on specific data on transgender people. And despite acknowledging that this community has the highest HIV risk factors of any group, the CDC lumps transgender people into the same category as men who have sex with men. (In August <a href="http://www.thebody.com/content/63509/hiv-among-transgender-people.html" target="_blank">the CDC stated</a> that it is revising this approach.)</p><br /><p>"We go underreported because we live in fear," says Broadus. "I remember first coming out in my community in Missouri, and there were people who came to see me speak who had literally locked themselves in their homes and never really came out because they were terrified of what would happen if they did."</p><br /><p>The good news is that there has been a surge in black transgender leadership over the years. Just this May, in conjunction with the National Black Justice Coalition, Broadus started the Trans People of Color Coalition as a means for transgender people to advocate for themselves. "This is an effort to build a movement," he says. "People are finding their power and realizing that they are worthy."</p></blockquote><br /><p>GLAAD commends The Root for covering the lives of transgender people of color. GLAAD encourages other media outlets to follow The Root’s strong example of including stories of LGBT people that spotlight the diversity of our community and the issues that affect us.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">October 18, 2011</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/transgender-0">transgender</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/african-american">African American</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/black-lgbt">black LGBT</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/job-discrimination">job discrimination</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/kylar-broadus">Kylar Broadus</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/monica-roberts">Monica Roberts</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/nbjc">NBJC</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:33:21 +0000kimberleymcleod35302 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/root-highlights-discrimination-faced-transgender-african-americans#commentsThe Root Announces LGBT-Inclusive List of African American Leadershttp://www.glaad.org/blog/root-announces-lgbt-inclusive-list-african-american-leaders
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p></p><p><img class="media-image" height="186" id="2" style="WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 186px" width="131" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Maya%20Rupert.gif?itok=QmCW_voc" alt="" /><em><a href="http://www.theroot.com/">The Root</a></em>, a leading online source of news and commentary from an African-American perspective, recently announced their 2011 <a href="http://www.theroot.com/views/root-100-2011-list">“The Root 100” </a>honorees. “The Root 100” recognizes emerging and established African-American leaders who are making extraordinary contributions. It celebrates leadership, creativity, service, and excellence.</p><br /><p>This year’s list included openly gay CNN anchor and author, Don Lemon, former senior director of media programs at GLAAD (now executive director of <a href="http://colorofchange.org/">ColorOfChange.org</a>), Rashad Robinson, and the <a href="http://www.nclrights.org/site/PageServer">National Center for Lesbian Rights’ </a>federal policy director, Maya Rupert (pictured right).</p><br /><p>For 2011, <em>The Root </em>set out to identify the most influential African Americans between 25 and 45 years of age. The website defined influence broadly to include “anyone who is shaping our daily conversations with work that matters.” To identify and rank "The Root 100<strong>,"</strong> their staff developed a formula that defines influence as the combination of reach and substance.</p><br /><p>The 2011 honorees will be recognized at an awards reception on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at The Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">October 14, 2011</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/black-lgbt">black LGBT</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/african-american">African American</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/root">The Root</a></li>
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Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:04:40 +0000kimberleymcleod35064 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/root-announces-lgbt-inclusive-list-african-american-leaders#commentsCivil Rights Icon and Georgia Representative John Lewis Speaks at Atlanta Pridehttp://www.glaad.org/blog/civil-rights-icon-and-georgia-representative-john-lewis-speaks-atlanta-pride
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" height="206" id="2" style="width: 261px; float: right; height: 206px;" width="261" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/John%20Lewis.JPG?itok=cX85Hzx8" alt="" />Civil rights icon and Georgia Democratic Representative John Lewis delivered a moving speech at Atlanta Pride over the weekend. According to <a href="http://rodonline.typepad.com/rodonline/2011/10/video-rep-john-lewis-emotional-speech-to-atlanta-pride.html">Rod 2.0</a>, the congressman recalled the struggle leading up to the successful repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and encouraged advocates to continue pressing for equality.</p>
<p>“One year ago we had 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' but it's gone now,” said the congressman. “When people stand together, fight together and march together, we can bring about change. So don't ever give up or ever give in."</p>
<p>"We're one family,” he added. “It doesn't matter if we're gay or straight."</p>
<p>“Get in the way and make some noise. Speak up and speak out. And I will be with you every mile of the way,” the former Freedom Rider and Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) chairman promised.</p>
<p>Last year, the civil rights veteran spoke out against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” encouraging members of the House to “vote yes” on its repeal because “discrimination is wrong.”</p>
<p>In 1961, Lewis volunteered to participate in the Freedom Rides, which challenged segregation at interstate bus terminals across the South. During the height of the Civil Rights Movement, from 1963 to 1966, he served as chairman of SNCC, which he helped form. SNCC was largely responsible for organizing students in the Movement, including student-led sit-ins.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">October 13, 2011</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/african-american">African American</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/black-lgbt">black LGBT</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/atlanta">Atlanta</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/georgia">Georgia</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/gay-pride">Gay Pride</a></li>
</ul>
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Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:56:54 +0000kimberleymcleod35024 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/civil-rights-icon-and-georgia-representative-john-lewis-speaks-atlanta-pride#commentsGeorgia Community Education Panel Addresses Issues Affecting LGBT Peoplehttp://www.glaad.org/blog/georgia-community-education-panel-addresses-issues-affecting-lgbt-people
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" id="2" style="float: right;" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Savannah%20Gay%20%26%20Lesbian%20Community%20Police%20Collaborative.jpg?itok=rtlqdSQY" alt="" />On Thursday, October 6, “Partnering for Peace,” a community education panel discussing issues that affect the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community will take place at the Days Inn’s Banquet Room, 1024 E. Oglethorpe Hwy, Hinesville, Ga., 6 – 8 p.m., and will feature presentations from various health care, law enforcement, education, and faith leaders. The event is free and open to the public.</p>
<p>“I want to educate people about the discrimination lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people face each day,” explains <a href="http://www.glaad.org/2011/08/30/huffpo-black-voices-highlights-violence-faced-by-transgender-women-of-color">Ja’briel Walthour</a>, a transgender advocate, <a href="http://www.glaad.org/2011/07/27/glaad-hosts-national-people-of-color-media-institute-in-los-angeles/">GLAAD National People of Color Media Institute</a> participant, and creator of the community forum. “I also want to present concrete ways for them to support us and stand up against injustice.”</p>
<p>Panelists include Jack Harrison, a policy analyst for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Policy Institute; Officer Tracy Walden, co-creator of the Savannah Gay &amp; Lesbian Community Police Collaborative; Alice Rogers, a registered nurse and family nurse practitioner with experience caring for LGBT patients; Susan Alt, a coordinator of HIV services and an AIDS certified registered nurse; Kelly Murphy, a licensed professional counselor; Betsy Barber, a former high school English teacher and university professor; and Candace Hardnett, a local pastor, advocate and GLAAD National People of Color Media Institute participant.</p>
<p>The speakers will explore topics related to using research to improve the community climate for LGBT citizens, hate crimes prevention, better access to health care and human service needs of LGBT patients, and the importance of creating a safe space for LGBT students and LGBT-inclusive places of worship.</p>
<p>“The discussion will be informative for students, parents, educators, clergy, government officials—any concerned citizen who wants to learn more,” Walthour adds. “These are their family members, co-workers, neighbors, classmates, and fellow church members that we’ll be talking about.”</p>
<p>“Partnering for Peace” is sponsored in part by First City Network, Georgia’s oldest LGBT organization. The panel will also take place in Savannah on Friday, October 7, 4 – 6 p.m., at the Southwest Chatham Library Auditorium, 10497 Abercorn Street, Savannah, Ga.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">October 5, 2011</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/religion-and-faith">Religion and Faith</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/transgender">Transgender</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/georgia">Georgia</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/anti-lgbt-bullying">anti-lgbt bullying</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/black-lgbt">black LGBT</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/african-american">African American</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:13:40 +0000kimberleymcleod34886 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/georgia-community-education-panel-addresses-issues-affecting-lgbt-people#comments